Crymotherapy apparatus for limbs

ABSTRACT

A reservoir for receiving a liquid or liquid and ice to enable the mixture in the reservoir to be maintained at a desired temperature, as low as 32*F. or 0*C., to enable a limb, such as a foot, the mid-calf, knee, the lower thigh or the upper thigh of the leg to be treated with localized therapy by application of a liquid or liquid and ice of the desired temperature being applied to the injured portion of the limb, thereby preventing frostbite and at the same time enabling internal hemorrhaging of the affected area, to be stopped within a few minutes. The device may also be used for treatment of hands, forearms and the elbow regions. It is preferable to have the reservoir made of an elastomer material, of sufficient capacity, so the temperature may be held at the desired degree, over a period of time, due to the volume of the liquid or the liquid and ice within the reservoir. A tapered elastomer neck extends below the reservoir to surround a limb in fluid tight relation, to prevent the escape of liquid. The elasticity of this neck is such that it will stretch and fit certain portions of the limbs in liquid tight relation without causing the &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;cording&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; of the limb that would deter blood circulation. The treatment device is mounted on an adjustable tripod to enable it to be used at any desired height. The device is frustro-conical in shape and several may be stored in telescoped relation.

United States Patent Page I I [54] CRYMOTIIERAPY APPARATUS FOR .LIMBS 22] Filed: I)ec.22,1970 [21] App1.No.: 100,667

[52] US. Cl. ..l28/402 [51] Int. Cl. ..A61f 7/00 [58] Field of Search ..128/402, 403, 254, 258, 172,

128/370; ISO/2.2, 2.4; 4/165, 182

Primary Examiner-Lawrence W Trapp Attorney-Wayland D Keith [57] ABSTRACT A reservoir for receiving a liquid or liquid and ice tgi [451 Dec. 12, 1972 enable the mixture in the reservoir to be maintained at a desired temperature, as low as 32F. or 0C., to enable a limb, such as a foot, the mid-calf, knee, the lower thigh or the upper thigh of the leg to be treated with localized therapy by application of a liquid or liquid and ice of the desired temperature being applied to the injured portion of the limb, thereby preventing frostbite and at the same time enabling internal hemorrhaging of the affected area, to be stopped within a few minutes.

The device may also be used for treatment of hands, forearms and the elbow regions. It is preferable to have the reservoir made of an elastomer material, of sufficient capacity, so the temperature may be held at the desired degree, over a period of time, due to the volume of the liquid or the liquid and ice within the reservoir. A tapered elastomer neck extends below the reservoir to surround a limb in fluid tight relation, to prevent the escape of liquid. The elasticity of this neck is such that it will stretch and tilt certain portions of the limbs in liquid tight relation without causing the cording of the limb that would deter blood circulation. The treatment device is mounted on an adjustable tripod to enable it to be used at any desired height. The device is frustro-conical in shape and several may be stored in telescoped relation.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing; Figures PATENTED an: 12 m2 SHEET 1 0F 2 FIG nll1l'lll'illlllllllvll I'l I I I I Q I I1 INVENTOR BILLY A. PAGE BY MW HIS AGENT PATENTED HEB 12 I972 SHEEI 2 [If 2 FIG? 1 CRYMOTIIERAPY APPARATUS FOR LIMBS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION suitable.

'It is desirable to provide a reservoir in which a limb may be positioned for localized treatment thereof with hot or cold liquid or cold liquid and crushed ice, as the particular injury indicates. It is particularly desirable to have a device adapted forrapid crymotherapy of feet, calves, knees and thighs, which device is as compact as possible, and furthermore, which is simple in construction, yet sturdy and reliable in operation and which requires a minimum of maintenance.

It is difficult to provide a readily portable, effective crymotherapy treatment apparatus for localized treatment of limbs, which device incorporates the above mentioned design characteristics. Prior art devices, for the most part, employ bulky, reservoirs in which a whole limb had to be immersed, or requires that a portion of the limb be sealed off for application ofliquid or ice thereto which would not lend to the flexibility of applying localized treatment of a particular portion to a limb, such as a leg from the foot to the hip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A reservoir means is provided, which is preferably of elastomer material, frustro-conical in shape and which has a rigid ring around the top portion thereof to which is detachably connected a plurality of adjustable telescoping legs. A relatively thin, tapered elastomer neck extends downwardly fromthe lower portion of the reservoir, whichneck is of a diameter to form a seal with the limb, to prevent the liquid passing thereby. A sheet of elastomer material, such as a disc, is provided, which disc closes the opening in the bottom of the reservoir when it is desired to use the reservoir for a treatment chamber only. The frustro-conical reservoir and neck thereon are so constructed that they may be telescoped into other complementary reservoirs so as to conserve space for shipping, storing, or transporting. The detachable, telescoping legs are preferably three in number and are tubular, with a frictional lock arrangement therein which enables the locking of the legs at any desired position to support the reservoir above the ground at the desired height. The reservoir is of sufficient volume to receive a liquid or liquid and ice so that the temperature may be maintained stable at 32F. over a considerable period of time during the treatment of a limb or a portion thereof.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a treatment reservoir for limbs which may be readily fitted on the leg to apply localized treatment, by liquid at a desired temperature, to any portion of the leg, from the foot to the upper thigh.

Another object of the invention is to provide a treatment reservoir, which reservoir may be adjustably mounted on legs, so as to treat any portion of a leg desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a treatment reservoir having a downwardly extending, tapered, elastomer neck, which neck is sufficiently small to surround any portion of a leg without permitting liquid from the reservoir to leak, therefrom,

when the reservoir is filled with liquid.

Still anotherobject of the invention is to provide a frustro-conical reservoir with a tapered neck, a plurality of which reservoirs will fit in telescoped relation to conserve space, during storage and transportation.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a reservoir with detachable telescoping legs, which legs may be frictionally engaged one portion with another to maintain the portions in any desired fixed relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seal 'for the lower portion of the reservoir so the reservoir may be used for treatment of injuries to a foot, hand or elbow.

. minimum of maintenance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With these objects in mind and others which will become manifest as the description proceeds, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts in the several views thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in full outline, showing the reservoir as applied to a limb of a person, an alternate position being shown in dashed outline;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention with a closure member in the bottom of the reservoir to make the reservoir water tight to enable the treatment of a limb appendage, such as a hand or a foot, with parts being broken away, and with parts being shown in section to bring out the details of construction; FIG. 3 is an exploded, longitudinal, sectional view of the invention, showing a reservoir with a bottom sealing disc being shown in exploded relation, in section, the normal position of the disc in the reservoir being shown in dashed outline;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of an upper portion of the elastomer limb receiving reservoir, showing a leg engaging member extending downward therefrom and showing a break away portion of a tubular support leg that wedgingly engages a projection on the support ring which is embedded within and bonded to the rim of the elastomer reservoir;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the device, partly in section, with parts broken away and shortened to show the details of construction of the tripod leg and locking mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary upper portion of the reservoir showing an annular ring embedded in the rim thereof, with a downwardly extending projection cast integral therewith and showing a tubular leg titted on the projection; and

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through a plurality of frustro-conical reservoirs, fitted one within another to occupy a minimum of space.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With more detailed reference to the drawing, the numeral l designates generally the limb of an athlete or other individual to be treated with application of liquid, which liquid can either be hot water, cold water, or cold water and crushed ice, depending on the nature of the treatment to be given. The numeral 2 designates generally a reservoir of sufficient capacity and size to receive a limb thereinto and/or therethrough, so a sufficient supply of hot or cold liquid media may be received into the reservoir. The numeral 3 designates the shouldered bottom portion of the reservoir to receive an elastomer disc, as will be more fully set out hereinafter.

The reservoir 2 is preferably of elastomer material 6, which reservoir has a reinforcing ring 4 bonded within the upper rim thereof. The ring 4 has circumferentially spaced, downwardly extending projections 8 secured thereto as by welding or the like, which projections are preferably tapered to receive the upper ends of tubular legs 10, each which leg 10 is received into a larger tubular member 12 in telescoped relation, which tubular member 12 has an elastomer cap 13 on the lower end thereof, as will best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5. The lower end of tubular member 10 has a plug 14 secured therein which hole has a screwthreaded hole 16 therein which is eccentric with respect to the axis of tube 10. An eccentric washer-like member 18 is mounted on a screwthreaded member 20, which screwthreaded member is secured within screwthreaded hole 16 and which member 18 is rotatable with respect to screwthreaded member 20, so upon rotation of each tubular member 10 with respect to the respective tubular members 12, the respective eccentric members 18 may be engaged with or disengaged from the respective tubular members 12 at any desired place within the length thereof so that the tubes 10 and 12 will form legs, which are arranged in tripod relation to support reservoir 2 at any desired height above the terrain.

The elastomer material 6 may be substantially the same thickness throughout the wall and bottom of the reservoir to hold the hot or cold media within the reservoir while the treatment is being accorded an athlete or other individual, however, the lower portion of the reservoir has a tapered neck 22 which extends downwardly therefrom, which neck is made of elastomer material which will readily stretch to conform to the limb size to enable the foot to be moved therethrough, however, it is of such size and elasticity that the lower end thereof will bindingly engate the lower calf portion of the leg to prevent leakage of fluid out of the reservoir 2. The upper end of the neck 22 is of sufficient diameter to admit a joint, such as the knee, to pass therethrough so that the neck 22 will fit around the thigh portion of the leg immediately above the knee 24, with the water being retained in the reservoir 2. In this manner, localized treatment may be given to any portion of the limb.

The usual procedure in the treatment of injuries to limbs of athletes, for internal bleeding, swelling and the like, is by the use of a cold moist media, such as crushed ice and water, with the temperature in the reservoir being substantially 32F, which moist treatment prevents frostbite at this temperature. However,

it is desirable to treat only affected areas, such as a knee 24, a thigh 26, a calf 28, a foot 30, hand, wrist, elbow or other portion of a limb. Therefore, with the present device such treatment can be accorded without exposing the other portion of the limb to the intense cold, if crymotherapy is used. This enables rapid recovery of an athlete, and prevents undue hemorrhagmg.

By telescoping the legs 10 and 12 of the device, the reservoir 2, as shown in FIG. 1, may be moved into the position, as shown in dashed outline, wherein the neck 22 will snugly fit around the calf portion of the leg just above the angle and the reservoir 2 may be filled with the liquid, or crushed ice and water of the desired temperature, to treat an injured knee or the calf of a leg.

Since it is desirable to have several of the reservoirs 2 to accord treatment to more than one injured player, these are tapered, as will best be seen in FIG. 3, so that a plurality of such reservoirs may be fitted one within another to occupy a minimum of space during shipping or for storage.

MODIFIED FORM OF THE INVENTION A modified form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein an elastomer disc 41, slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of the lower end of reservoir 2 is fitted within the reservoir, as will best be seen in full outline in FIG. 2 or in section and in dashed outline in FIG. 3 so that the pressure of the fluid thereon will close the opening of neck 22 to hold the fluid within the reservoir so that the reservoir may be filled to the desired depth with a liquid or water and crushed ice, to bring the temperature to the desired level, as for instance 32F to prevent hemorrhaging of blood vessels within the foot 30 or the lower portion of the calf 28. The tubular members 10 and 12 may be telescoped so as to lower the reservoir 2 to the desired height for treatment of the limb without undue strain on the athlete or other person receiving treatment.

By using the disc 41 within the bottom of reservoir 2, a minimum of treatment equipment is required to be carried to the athletic field. The present device may be disassembled and reassembled in a minimum of time, as it requires approximately only one-quarter turn of one of the tubular members with respect to the other of the tubular members to lock the tubular members that form the legs, in the desired relation with respect to each other.

By making the reservoir and the neck tapered, and to extend downward, and of elastomer material, the reservoir will accommodate a variety of sizes of calfs and thighs without having to have an unduly large assortment of reservoir sizes. Furthermore, with the reservoir made of elastomer material, it will withstand a maximum of abuse with a minimum of damage.

FURTHER MODIFIED FORM OF THE INVENTION A further modified form of the invention is shown in FIG. 6 wherein a reservoir, designated generally at 2A, has a ring 4A embedded within the elastomer material 6A and bonded thereto. It is preferable to have a plurality of downwardly extending tapered projections SA on the lower side of the ring 4A so as to wedgingly engage tubular members 10A.

In the manufacture and molding of the present device, it is preferable to have the axis of the projection 8A vertical when cast or fabricated. The leg 10A may be bent slightly at 10B so that the legs will be angulated to product a more stable support for reservoir 2A as will be seen in FIG. 6. The arrangement of the legs 10A is substantially the same as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to limbs, which apparatus comprises;

a. an open top reservoir,

1. the lower end of said reservoir having an opening formed therein,

b. an inwardly and downwardly tapered, elastomer neck connected in liquid communication with the opening formed in the lower end of said reservoir, 1. said open top reservoir and said tapered,

elastomer neck being adapted to receive a limb to be treated therethrough,

2. said open top reservoir adapted to receive a treatment media therein, at least a portion of which treatment media is a liquid,

3. said tapered, elastomer neck adapted to stretch around the limb, near the lower end of the neck, to form a liquid tight seal with the limb,

c. support means interengaging said reservoir to support said reservoir in an upright position a spaced distance above a surface, when the apparatus is being used for treatment ofa limb.

2. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein I a. said open top reservoir being of substantial volume, to maintain the treatment media within the desired temperature range, over an extended period of time, during the treatment of a limb.

3. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. the elastomer material of said inwardly and downwardly tapered neck is thicker at the upper end of said neck and decreases in thickness toward the lower end thereof so as to readily conform to the limb which passes therethrough.

4. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir is of elastomer material.

5. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir tapers inwardly and downwardly so a plurality of said reservoirs and said necks may be slid, one within another, in complementary relation.

6. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 5; wherein a. said open top reservoir is of an elastomer material.

7. An apparatus for treating limbs with a treatment media, at a desired temperature, which apparatus comprises;

a. an open top reservoir constructed of an elastomer material to receive a limb to be treated, l. the lower end of said reservoir being shouldered and having an opening formed therein,

b. a flexible, fluid tight neck of elastomer material joined to the lower end of said open top, elastomer reservoir and being in fluid communication with the opening formed therein,

1. said neck being tapered downwardly and inwardly so as to be of a size to receive a limb therethrough,

2. a portion of said neck adapted to fit in fluid tight relation around the limb, when said neck is in one position,

0. a ring is received in said elastomer material of said open top reservoir near the upper end thereof,

1. said ring having downwardly extending projections thereon,

2. support legs engageable with said downwardly extending projections on said ring to support said reservoir a spaced distance above a surface.

8. A treatment device as defined in claim 7; wherein a. adjustment means are provided on said legs to secure said legs in adjusted relation to support said reservoir a spaced distance above a surface, and

b. locking means securing said legs in adjusted relation.

9. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, as

defined in claim 1; wherein a. closure means is adapted to fit within the lower portion of said reservoir to form a liquid tight seal therewith, under static liquid pressure, to close the opening therein.

10. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. the limb being treated is a leg,

b. said elastomer neck of said open top reservoir is of a single thickness of elastomer material, which is yieldable to form a seal with the leg intermediate the ankle and the thigh, and

c. said reservoir is adapted to be fitted on the leg while the person being treated is in a standing position.

11. An apparatus for applying a. treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir tapers inwardly and downwardly to form a truncated cone shaped reservoir, and

b. said neck, which joins the lower end of said reservoir, is truncated cone shaped, so that the reservoir portion and the neck portion of one apparatus will be complementally received into the reservoir portion and neck portion of other apparatus in nested relation.

* III 

1. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to limbs, which apparatus comprises; a. an open top reservoir,
 1. the lower end of said reservoir having an opening formed therein, b. an inwardly and downwardly tapered, elastomer neck connected in liquid communication with the opening formed in the lower end of said reservoir,
 1. said open top reservoir and said tapered, elastomer neck being adapted to receive a limb to be treated therethrough,
 2. said open top reservoir adapted to receive a treatment media therein, at least a portion of which treatment media is a liquid,
 3. said tapered, elastomer neck adapted to stretch around the limb, near the lower end of the neck, to form a liquid tight seal with the limb, c. support means interengaging said reservoir to suPport said reservoir in an upright position a spaced distance above a surface, when the apparatus is being used for treatment of a limb.
 2. said open top reservoir adapted to receive a treatment media therein, at least a portion of which treatment media is a liquid,
 2. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir being of substantial volume, to maintain the treatment media within the desired temperature range, over an extended period of time, during the treatment of a limb.
 2. a portion of said neck adapted to fit in fluid tight relation around the limb, when said neck is in one position, c. a ring is received in said elastomer material of said open top reservoir near the upper end thereof,
 2. support legs engageable with said downwardly extending projections on said ring to support said reservoir a spaced distance above a surface.
 3. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. the elastomer material of said inwardly and downwardly tapered neck is thicker at the upper end of said neck and decreases in thickness toward the lower end thereof so as to readily conform to the limb which passes therethrough.
 3. said tapered, elastomer neck adapted to stretch around the limb, near the lower end of the neck, to form a liquid tight seal with the limb, c. support means interengaging said reservoir to suPport said reservoir in an upright position a spaced distance above a surface, when the apparatus is being used for treatment of a limb.
 4. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir is of elastomer material.
 5. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir tapers inwardly and downwardly so a plurality of said reservoirs and said necks may be slid, one within another, in complementary relation.
 6. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 5; wherein a. said open top reservoir is of an elastomer material.
 7. An apparatus for treating limbs with a treatment media, at a desired temperature, which apparatus comprises; a. an open top reservoir constructed of an elastomer material to receive a limb to be treated,
 8. A treatment device as defined in claim 7; wherein a. adjustment means are provided on said legs to secure said legs in adjusted relation to support said reservoir a spaced distance above a surface, and b. locking means securing said legs in adjusted relation.
 9. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. closure means is adapted to fit within the lower portion of said reservoir to form a liquid tight seal therewith, under static liquid pressure, to close the opening therein.
 10. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. the limb being treated is a leg, b. said elastomer neck of said open top reservoir is of a single thickness of elastomer material, which is yieldable to form a seal with the leg intermediate the ankle and the thigh, and c. said reservoir is adapted to be fitted on the leg while the person being treated is in a standing position.
 11. An apparatus for applying a treatment media, of the desired temperature, to a limb, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said open top reservoir tapers inwardly and downwardly to form a truncated cone shaped reservoir, and b. said neck, which joins the lower end of said reservoir, is truncated cone shaped, so that the reservoir portion and the neck portion of one apparatus will be complementally received into the reservoir portion and neck portion of other apparatus in nested relation. 